Vista & Astronomy

[rogerg]

I have to say that after having had my new laptop (runs Vista) for about 3 weeks now I'm really happy with how it's working together with my astronomy software.

I haven't had to do any special installations for any of my gear yet, and it seems to be running fine. Critical app's relating to astronomy for me are:
- registax
- deep sky stacker
- ccdsoft
- thesky6
- QGuider drivers & software
- 350D drivers & software
- dslr focus
- astrometrica
- ascom

All the bad news about vista out there I thought I was in for a real nightmare, but so far so good.

I suppose there are things I just haven't tried running, like some custom VB6 app's I wrote myself a while back for astronomy, but I shouldn't need them on the new setup anyhow.

Roger.

[Adrianf]

I have had Vista now since Beta1 and have found only a couple of programs I cannot run. I was transfering my Video collection over to DVD and the hardware (video capture card) would not work under Vista. No biggy just built another PC just for video stuff.

Adrian

[timthelder]

I agree, my lappy has vista home premium on it and the only trouble I've had was trying to run some 'old' programs. All the good stuff, planetarium programs, cam drivers, ascom, and a host of image processing programs have all worked really well and fast.

Not to fond of the 'windows aero' screen mode, (I don't want 'see through panes/tabs.) so I run Vista in basic mode. Looks almost identical to Windows IE7.

Cheers:smile:

[Radar]

You are a brave man Rog. Glad it all worked out. I'm still using XP fpr another year I'd say.

Ray

[seeker372011]

DSLR focus ported over?

that's wonderful...I didnt think it possible

but then I am having trouble getting vista to recognise my Canon 300D in the first place

[Paramount]

Hi
I agree with Ray, I made the mistake of "downgrading" from XP to Vista only to find that it wouldn't recognise my Starlight Xpress cameras, Maxim DL and other software I was running, it kept crashing or locking up the computer and playing other various nasty tricks that really made me want to develop a new Olympic sport "Laptop throwing" (you never know it might catch on). Thankfully there are fixes availble now but like Ray I am sticking with XP and I will quote the following saying for you to dwell on
"If it isn't broken then don't try fixing it!"
Best wishes
Gordon
:itsme!:

[rogerg]

This was going good until I tried connecting to the Gemini via a USB to Serial (RS232) converter. Seems this is not functioning in Vista. I have bought a new Belkin converter which is also not functioning.

Anyone have any experience with Gemini and Vista?

I'm avoiding the Express Card/PCMCIA option.

Thanks,
Roger.

[Jim G]

Could be the Belkin, the LXD 75 groups will tell you that for them the Belkin doesn't work and the best option is the Keyspan, which is easy and cheap in the USA but like gold hens teeth here, and the US retailers are not alowed to sell it here. Apple have the local sales.

Regards, Jim.